Obituaries

Mr. Desiderio of Brick, who had recently celebrated his 89th birthday, died June 18. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he, along with his father and brother, had made and delivered Italian brick oven-baked bread at Desiderio’s Bakery on Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn. Until late last year, he was still baking and consulting for the new family business, Luca & Luca Salumeria, Point Pleasant, which features homemade recipes that originated in New York City nearly a century ago. Mr. Desiderio loved vegetable gardening, carpentry, home repair and browsing Home Depot for new tools. He was predeceased in July 1999 by his wife of 58 years, Marie (née Mariana Albanese), and was also predeceased by a brother, Tony. Surviving are four children, John of Staten Island, N.Y., Lucille of Brick, Dolores of Point Pleasant, and Joseph P. of Pleasant Valley, N.Y.; and many grandchildren. A Mass was celebrated at St. Martha’s Roman Catholic Church, Point Pleasant Beach, followed by entombment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Spring Lake.

Megan Ann MacCalla

Miss MacCalla, 14, of Brick died June 19 at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. Born in Toms River, she had lived in Brick all of her life. She played and refereed soccer and also loved the New York Yankees. Surviving are her parents, Sheila and Brad MacCalla; a brother, Garry Lambusta of Brick; two sisters, Denise Lambusta of Toms River and Kaitlyn MacCalla of Brick; her paternal grandmother, MaryAnn Piercy; her paternal grandfather, Willard MacCalla; and Grammy Kay MacCalla. A funeral service was held at D’Elia Funeral Home, Lakewood. Cremation was private. Memorial donations may be made to Oceans of Love, 1790 Route 37 east, Toms River 08753.

James V. Lauro

Mr. Lauro, 80, of Aberdeen died June 15 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Matawan, he was a lifelong resident of the Matawan and Aberdeen area. He was a labor foreman at a local labor union, retiring in 1977. He was a Third Degree, Knights of Columbus, Keyport. He was predeceased by two sisters, and two brothers. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Pacansky Lauro of Aberdeen; two daughters, Madeline Katko of South Brunswick, and Cecelia Berg of Brick; three sisters, Jane Artelli of Keyport, Ann DaPolito of Woodbridge, and Nancy Lopez of Aberdeen; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Arrangements were made by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.

Ruth I. Struble Van Ness

Mrs. Van Ness, 76, of South River died June 13 at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen Van Ness and Chuck Silber of Scotch Plains; four sons, Richard Van Ness of South River, Robert Van Ness of Brick, Theodore Van Ness of Howell, and James Van Ness of South River; and one grandson. Interment was at Balesville Cemetery, Newton. The Brunswick Memorial Funeral Home, East Brunswick, was in charge of arrangements.